picture of innocence

i was jaded
until i heard you sing
i was aged
before i was anything
i was a hundred
by the time you were three
how could anyone
as young as you
see anything in me

you stare
at me
here in my decadence
you there
the clear
picture of innocence

don't stare, babe
you don't know how you look
don't judge, babe
until you've read the book
i was a hundred
before i dared speak
you'll be a million
before i let you get to me
with your eyes
that slice right through my bones
with your hands
trembling like a junkie jones
cuz my heart
my heart is the heart of a crone
and i know
you've never been so alone
but i feel
much more than envious
of you
the true
picture of innocence

but will you still be
that way in the morning

© 1999 paula pryce